Local Authority News
11/8/2023
Consultation On Strategic Plan For Adult Services
NHS Highland and the Highland Council are engaging on the Strategic Plan for Adult Services 2024-27. This is the strategic plan for the delivery of integrated health and adult social care services in the region covered by the Highland Health and Social Care Partnership.
11/8/2023
Highland Council To Act As One Of The Host Local Authorities For The 2023 EV Rally Of Scotland
Highland Council has been named as one of the host local authorities when vehicles taking part in the 2023 EV Rally of Scotland (EVROS) start their journeys on 16 August. The two-day event, which aims to showcase electric vehicle technology and the charging infrastructure network in Scotland, will stop at locations in Highland.
11/8/2023
Highland Tenant Rent Arrears Below National Average
Housing and Property Committee met yesterday (Thursday 10 August 2023) and discussed the impact that the ‘cost of living' has had on tenants experiencing rent arrears. Despite the challenges, Highland rent arrears remains significantly better than national benchmarking averages.7/8/2023
20mph Roll-out Across Highland Gathers Pace - 19 Sites In Caithness
The installation of the Highland wide 20 mph programme delivery continues a pace with over 75% of the work complete on the ground and the remainder of the settlement installation work ongoing The Temporary Road Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) for the new 20mph speed limits on Council roads went live on Monday (31 July 2023). ANSCO Signs Ltd, a local company, based at Tomich Industrial Estate in Muir of Ord, who were awarded the contract for sign manufacturing, continues to be kept busy producing the new speed limit signs.
1/8/2023
Loch Street, Wick Road Closure Notice
U3583 Loch Street, Wick on 21 August 2023 - The road closure is necessary to allow Scottish Water to performs work on the water main. The road may be closed until 21 September 2023..29/7/2023
Blue-green Algae Warning For Wick River In Caithness
The Highland Council's Environmental Health team are advising caution as blue-green algae has been found in the Wick River in Caithness at Coghill Bridge area. The blue-green algae was confirmed by SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency) and was found by the footbridge at the riverside in Wick.26/7/2023
Trading Standards Takes Court Action Against Alness Shop Selling Illegal Vapes
An Order was granted by Tain Sheriff Court which places legal requirements and restrictions on local nicotine vape seller, Mohammad Shuaab Director trading as, J&M Patterson Ltd, 33-35 High Street, Alness. Highland Council Trading Standards executed a warrant on Shuaab in April 2022.10/7/2023
New Grant Funding To Decarbonise Public Sector Buildings
A new funding scheme has been launched offering up to £20 million in grants to support local authorities, universities and arm's-length external organisations decarbonise their buildings. Scotland’s Public Sector Heat Decarbonisation Fund will replace the existing Scottish Energy Efficiency Loan Scheme, which has been running since 2006 and offered zero interest loans for energy efficiency improvement projects.5/7/2023
Council Carries Motion To Negotiate With Renewable Energy Firms And Ensure Fairer Deal For Communities
Highland Council last week carried a motion which aims to ensure the region's communities reap fairer reward for renewable energy generated in Highland. Members at last week's full meeting of Highland Council agreed a motion which called for the local authority to negotiate with renewable energy companies to ensure a fair financial settlement, which would enhance investment opportunities and support communities who live alongside renewable facilities.
3/7/2023
Young Engineer Is Council's Apprentice Of The Year 2023
Michael Silva, a graduate engineer student has been named as The Highland Council's Apprentice of the Year 2023. Michael joined the Council's Structures Section as a graduate apprentice in 2018 after completing his 5th year at Invergordon Academy, where he finished top of his class and was rewarded with "the Highest Attainment Award".
3/7/2023
Highland Council approves local authority's Net Zero Strategy
Councillors at yesterday's meeting of Highland Council approved the local authority's Net Zero Strategy which was recommended by members at May's Climate Change Committee. Climate Change Committee Members had reinforced the importance of making progress and agreed several recommendations.30/6/2023
Highland Councillors Over-turn Caithness Committee Decision On Thurso High School Block Replacement
A heated debate ensued at the full meeting of Highland council on 29th June 2023. The highly politicised debate included accusations on both sides of the argument.30/6/2023
Inverness And Cromarty Firth Green Freeport Update Report June 2023
Following a report agreed by Full Council in May 2023 on the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport (ICFGF), Council members have received a further update (Thursday 29 June 2023) on the current Outline Business Case (OBC) stage of the Green Freeport process and the work to date. Leader of the Council, Raymond Bremner said: "Work continues at pace to develop a robust Outline Business Case (OBC).
24/6/2023
Signage For Roll-out Of 20mph Programme Across The Highlands Starts To Be Installed
The Highland Council are pleased to announce that between now and the end of July local communities will notice new 20mph speed limit signage being installed replacing, where relevant, the existing 30mph signage. Councillor Ken Gowans, Chair of the Council Economy and Infrastructure Committee said: "I am delighted so see the signage for this 20mph programme now appearing in our communities.
23/6/2023
New Chief Executive appointed to The Highland Council
The Highland Council has appointed a new Chief Executive. The successful candidate is Derek Brown, currently the Deputy Chief Executive with North Lanarkshire Council.
15/6/2023
Highland Council Prepares To Support Users Of Private Water Supplies That May Run Out Of Water
The Environmental Health team has warned that some private water supplies in the region could run low due to lack of rainfall. Some surface water supplies are particularly at risk and the Council is advising users of private water supplies to take preventative steps to preserve their drinking water.
13/6/2023
Freeze On Cost Of 2023/24 Garden Waste Bin Permits
Highland Council Garden Waste Permits are now available to purchase for the 2023/24 permit season. To help all customers to continue recycling their garden waste, the cost of a garden waste permit for the next season (2023/2024) has not increased and will remain at the same price as last year - £47.75 per permit.12/6/2023
Highlanders Aged 16 to 19 In Education - Applications now being accepted for Education Maintenance Allowance for the new academic year
All eligible young people are being encouraged to apply for a weekly, term time allowance of £30 per week from August 2023. The Highland Council administers Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) in respect of eligible young people from across its 29 secondary schools.
1/6/2023
Redesign Board Approved Funding To Support Council Customers Most In Need
A Highland Council project which aims to better support customers, who need supported the most, will now move to a second stage which includes focussing on the development of the Council's website with a £150,000 allocation of funding to appoint two dedicated web officers. The "My Council" programme is a review of the Council's customer contact experience, and part of this latest phase will prioritise the Council’s website and online customer offering over an 18-month period.30/5/2023
